Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A double-lumen catheter, comprising: a) a generally cylindrical inner tube having interior and exterior surfaces, b) a generally cylindrical outer tube having interior and exterior surfaces, the outer tube being arranged around the inner tube such that the inner and outer tubes are substantially coaxial, the inner tube defining an inner lumen having a generally circular cross-section, the inner and outer tubes defining an outer lumen having a generally annular cross-section, the tubes having a proximal end and a distal end, c) a generally cylindrical sleeve inserted between the tubes at the distal end, the sleeve being bonded to the inner tube and to the outer tube, d) a first hub formed around the exterior surface of the proximal end of the inner tube, e) a second hub formed around the exterior surface of the proximal end of the outer tube, the second hub extending beyond the outer tube in the proximal direction, wherein the first and second hubs are bonded together, and f) means for connecting the lumens to fluid conveying devices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A double-lumen catheter, comprising: a) a generally cylindrical inner tube having interior and exterior surfaces, b) a generally cylindrical outer tube having interior and exterior surfaces, the outer tube being arranged around the inner tube such that the inner and outer tubes are substantially coaxial, the inner tube defining an inner lumen having a generally circular cross-section, the inner and outer tubes defining an outer lumen having a generally annular cross-section, the tubes having a proximal end and a distal end, c) a generally cylindrical sleeve inserted between the tubes at the distal end, the sleeve being bonded to the inner tube and to the outer tube, d) a first hub formed around the exterior surface of the proximal end of the inner tube, e) a second hub formed around the exterior surface of the proximal end of the outer tube, the second hub extending beyond the outer tube in the proximal direction, wherein the first and second hubs are bonded together, and f) means for connecting the lumens to fluid conveying devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of holes in the outer tube, the holes being located near the distal end of the outer tube, the holes being disposed around more than half the circumference of the outer tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein the distal ends of the tubes define a tip, the tip including an opening fluidly connected to the first lumen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The catheter of claim 3, wherein the edges of the tip are rounded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The catheter of claim 1, further comprising a dilator, the dilator being inserted within the inner lumen, the catheter having means for attaching the dilator to the catheter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The catheter of claim 5, wherein the attaching means comprises a threaded flange located near the proximal end of the catheter, and wherein the dilator includes threaded means for engaging said flange.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The catheter of claim 5, wherein the dilator comprises a generally hollow, cylindrical tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 7, wherein the dilator protrudes beyond the distal ends of the inner and outer tubes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein the connecting means includes a side port which is fluidly connected to the outer lumen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The catheter of claim 9, wherein the first hub includes a bevel at its distal end, the bevel comprising means for directing fluid into the side port, and for preventing fluid from becoming trapped in the outer lumen, proximal of the side port.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
A double-lumen catheter comprising a pair of generally coaxial tubes, the tubes defining independent inner and outer lumens, the tubes having distal ends and proximal ends, the tubes being joined at their distal ends by a sleeve located between the tubes, the sleeve being bonded to both of the tubes, each of the tubes being bonded, respectively, at their proximal ends, to first and second hubs, the hubs being bonded to each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
A double-lumen catheter comprising a pair of generally coaxial tubes, the tubes defining independent inner and outer lumens, the tubes having distal ends and proximal ends, the tubes being joined at their distal ends by a sleeve located between the tubes, the sleeve being bonded to both of the tubes, each of the tubes being bonded, respectively, at their proximal ends, to first and second hubs, the hubs being bonded to each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
The catheter of claim 11, wherein one of the tubes is the outer tube and one of the tubes is the inner tube, wherein there are a plurality of holes in the outer tube, the holes being located near the distal end of the outer tube, the holes being disposed around more than half the circumference of the outer tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The catheter of claim 11, wherein the distal ends of the tubes define a tip, the tip including an opening fluidly connected to the inner lumen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The catheter of claim 13, wherein the edges of the tip are rounded.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The catheter of claim 11, further comprising a dilator, the dilator being inserted within the inner lumen, the catheter having means for attaching the dilator to the catheter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The catheter of claim 15, wherein the attaching means comprises a threaded flange located near the proximal end of the catheter, and wherein the dilator includes threaded means for engaging said flange.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The catheter of claim 15, wherein the dilator comprises a generally hollow, cylindrical tube.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 17, wherein the dilator protrudes beyond the distal ends of the inner and outer tubes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The catheter of claim 11, wherein the catheter includes means for connecting the lumens to fluid conveying devices.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter of claim 19, wherein the connecting means includes a side port which is fluidly connected to the outer lumen.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
68 words
The catheter of claim 20, wherein one of the tubes is an inner tube and one of the tubes is an outer tube, and wherein the hub which is connected to the inner tube includes a bevel at its distal end, the bevel comprising means for directing fluid into the side port, and for preventing fluid from becoming trapped in the outer lumen, proximal of the side port.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of making a double-lumen coaxial catheter, the method comprising the steps of: a) forming an outer tube, the outer tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the outer tube having interior and exterior surfaces, b) punching at least one hole near the distal end of the outer tube, c) attaching a hub to the exterior surface of the outer tube, near the proximal end of the outer tube, such that the hub projects beyond the outer tube, d) forming an inner tube, the inner tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the inner tube having interior and exterior surfaces, e) attaching a hub to the exterior surface of the inner tube, near the proximal end of the inner tube, f) threading the inner tube into the outer tube, such that the inner tube moves from the proximal end towards the distal end of the outer tube, until the inner tube reaches the vicinity of the distal end of the outer tube, g) inserting a generally cylindrical sleeve between the inner and outer tubes, at their distal ends, h) bonding the sleeve to both the inner and outer tubes, and i) bonding the hubs of the tubes to each other.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of making a double-lumen coaxial catheter, the method comprising the steps of: a) forming an outer tube, the outer tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the outer tube having interior and exterior surfaces, b) punching at least one hole near the distal end of the outer tube, c) attaching a hub to the exterior surface of the outer tube, near the proximal end of the outer tube, such that the hub projects beyond the outer tube, d) forming an inner tube, the inner tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the inner tube having interior and exterior surfaces, e) attaching a hub to the exterior surface of the inner tube, near the proximal end of the inner tube, f) threading the inner tube into the outer tube, such that the inner tube moves from the proximal end towards the distal end of the outer tube, until the inner tube reaches the vicinity of the distal end of the outer tube, g) inserting a generally cylindrical sleeve between the inner and outer tubes, at their distal ends, h) bonding the sleeve to both the inner and outer tubes, and i) bonding the hubs of the tubes to each other.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 22, wherein step (h) also includes forming the distal ends of the tubes into a tip, the tip including means for fluidly connecting the inner tube to the outside of the catheter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of attaching fittings to the hubs for connection of the hubs to external fluid devices.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of inserting a dilator into the inner tube, such that the dilator protrudes beyond the distal end of the inner tube.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 22, wherein step (h) comprises the step of applying heat to the tubes at their distal ends, so that the sleeve becomes fused to the tubes.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the heat-applying step is preceded by the step of adhesively fastening the sleeve to the tubes.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of making a double-lumen coaxial catheter, comprising the steps of: a) providing an inner tube having distal and proximal ends, and having at least one hole near the distal end, b) connecting a first hub to the proximal end of the inner tube, c) providing an outer tube having distal and proximal ends, the outer tube having a diameter greater than that of the inner tube, d) connecting a second hub to the proximal end of the outer tube, e) threading the inner tube into the outer tube such that the distal end of the inner tube is positioned near the distal end of the outer tube, f) bonding the inner and outer tubes together at their distal ends, and g) bonding the first and second hubs together.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of making a double-lumen coaxial catheter, comprising the steps of: a) providing an inner tube having distal and proximal ends, and having at least one hole near the distal end, b) connecting a first hub to the proximal end of the inner tube, c) providing an outer tube having distal and proximal ends, the outer tube having a diameter greater than that of the inner tube, d) connecting a second hub to the proximal end of the outer tube, e) threading the inner tube into the outer tube such that the distal end of the inner tube is positioned near the distal end of the outer tube, f) bonding the inner and outer tubes together at their distal ends, and g) bonding the first and second hubs together.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 28, wherein step (f) comprises the step of inserting a sleeve between the inner and outer tubes, at their distal ends, and applying heat to the tubes at their distal ends, so that the sleeve becomes fused to the tubes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 29, wherein the heat-applying step is preceded by the step of adhesively fastening the sleeve to the tubes.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of making a double-lumen coaxial catheter, comprising the steps of: a) providing an inner tube having distal and proximal ends, and having at least one hole near the distal end, and an outer tube having distal and proximal ends, the outer tube having a diameter greater than that of the inner tube, b) threading the inner tube into the outer tube such that the distal end of the inner tube is positioned near the distal end of the outer tube, c) connecting a hub to the proximal ends of the tubes, in such a manner that the hub comprising means for holding the inner tube within the outer tube, and d) bonding the inner and outer tubes together at their distal ends.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of making a double-lumen coaxial catheter, comprising the steps of: a) providing an inner tube having distal and proximal ends, and having at least one hole near the distal end, and an outer tube having distal and proximal ends, the outer tube having a diameter greater than that of the inner tube, b) threading the inner tube into the outer tube such that the distal end of the inner tube is positioned near the distal end of the outer tube, c) connecting a hub to the proximal ends of the tubes, in such a manner that the hub comprising means for holding the inner tube within the outer tube, and d) bonding the inner and outer tubes together at their distal ends.